An inside look at the Quiz Bowl Team!

The annual OCMC Competition is getting closer and practices are flying by! Humber's OCMC Team is comprised of 4 sections: Case Study, Sales Presentation, Job interview and Quiz Bowl. The Quiz Bowl is a segment of the competition where teams devised of 4 students, each from different schools, race to answer questions in order to earn the most points. I am lucky enough to be a part of our Quiz Bowl Team!

 

Quiz Bowl isn't like the other sections of the OCMC Team. We don't analyze or present cases, persuade someone to buy a product or sell ourselves to a prospective employer. We sit in front of a huge audience... And press a button... Oh and answer questions. Seems easy enough, right? Think again. We are expected to know 8 chapters of content front to back and 3 complete issues of Strategy Magazine! We have to understand hundreds of concepts and terms and we're only going to be asked 7 questions in each round? Wow.

 

Don't get me wrong - I love being a part of the Quiz Bowl Team. I believe that we get spoiled a bit. We have awesome practices preparing us for the Quiz Bowl competition, but on top of that, we also get trained on our presentation and case analysis skills just like everyone else. It's the best of both worlds!

 

However, I do have to give props to the other sections of the OCMC Team. They're expected to read, analyze and present a case study in only 30 minutes! From experience in the OCMC class, I know it's not easy. But it seems like the coaches are really preparing their teams and the students are improving every week. We’re all on the fast track to the podium at this year’s OCMC!

Meet the 2012 OCMC Team

It has been said that there is no I in team and that sentiment cannot be more true than with this year's Humber OCMC team. Both the competitors and the coaches have truly embraced the team spirit! For all of us TEAM actually means: Together Everyone Achieves More.

Since we are all out to achieve the best results possible it seems appropriate to introduce our Humber 2012 OCMC team:

• Tim Brilhante: International Marketing
• Olga Maracheva : International Marketing 
• Anthony Bailey: Marketing 
• Cameron Downs: Marketing
• Mike Pastyr: Market Research
• Alexander Kallaway: Market Research
• Randall Baker: Job Interview
• Aldredge Pinto: Sales Presentation
• Ashley Dann: IMC
• Aidan Sykes: IMC
• Melissa D'Alessandro: Account Management
• Jon Norgard:  Account Management/Direct Marketing 
• James Adams: Entrepreneurship/Direct Marketing
• Barbara Cresecentini: Entrepreneurship
• Malcolm Gray: Retailing
• Rachel Kennedy: Retailing
• Felix Carapaica: Quiz Bowl
• Kevin Carino : Quiz Bowl
• Chris Channell: Quiz Bowl
• Graiden Vanderveen: Quiz Bowl
• Hlina Woldeselasie: Quiz Bowl

When I asked how the team described themselves the following words came to mind:

These are just some examples of the skills and qualities that team members possess that will help us be fully prepared to achieve the best possible results on competition day. I couldn't ask for better teammates! 

-Rachel 

It's All Over

The Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition has come to an end. Over a year in planning and many months of training all came down to two very exciting days. Students from across Ontario, representing thirteen different colleges travelled to Toronto in order to demonstrate their marketing skills through a series of competitions.

The intensity and level of energy was immense. Between the chants of “GO GREEN!” and “HAWK YEAH!” all of the colleges did an excellent job in making their voice heard! Throughout the entire competition the energy level remained at a constant high. In addition, in order to help pump students up, there were various events ranging from: a live flash mob, to a casino royale experience and everything in between.

The highlight of the event was definitely the gala dinner and awards ceremony. Everyone was dressed to impress- it was amazing to be surrounded by the top marketing students from across Ontario. From the very beginning of the evening, participants and coaches were holding their breath in anticipation for the results. Once it was all over, it was time to celebrate and relax.

Although the many cheers have already happened we are pleased to release the official results for the 2011 Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition:  

Congratulations to all participants! Your efforts are extremely appreciated. Everyone did an exceptional job representing his or her respective college!

It was a true honor for Humber College to be the host of the 32^nd annual Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition.

Overall OCMC was a great success. On the behalf of Humber College I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the participants, coaches, volunteers and sponsors. Without a combined effort OCMC simply would not have been possible. We look forward to experiencing what Centennial College has planned for next year!

-Tim 

The wait is almost over…

Soon it will be your time to shine and to represent your school.  All of your hard work, determination and perseverance will come down to one presentation. One shot to prove yourself and to convince the judges why your idea is the best. With only 15 days left until the Ontario College Marketing Competition the pressure is on!

Before you start thinking that the competition is all hard work and little fun, let me shed some exciting insight into what Humber has in store. Last week I sat down with OCMC co- coordinator Ellen Sparling to discuss the overview of the two day event. Ellen shared a few exciting pieces of information; however she chose her words very carefully as she did not want to reveal too much. I could tell by the look on her face that she has some big surprises in store. In this blog I am going to highlight four aspects of the competition that I find to be the most exciting!

1. The Hotel

This is definitely something to get excited about! The competition will be held at the four star rated Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel Let me be the first to say that through my personal experience this hotel is great! As stated on the website the hotel boasts a “vibrant and modern setting, stylish guestrooms and legendary service” This statement is definitely true. 

Still not convinced? Let me highlight some of the exciting features:

·      9 floors, 412 rooms, 12 suites and 21 meeting rooms

·      Free wireless internet

·      Two full service restaurants

·      Starbucks Coffee Lounge

·      Fully equipped fitness centre

·      Indoor pool and whirlpool

Needless to say, this hotel has absolutely everything that we could need. Not to mention it will be home to students from all across Ontario!

2. Quiz Bowl

This is a time to cheer for your school! However, before Quiz Bowl starts all students will be participating in welcoming events. The evening is sponsored by the Humber Student Federation. HSF will be handing out prizes and giveaways throughout the afternoon! The goal is to kick start the evening by increasing energy levels and promoting team spirit. We want to hear you cheer for your school. Let everyone know why you are here! Quiz Bowl kicks off right after dinner. Ellen says that Quiz Bowl is “by far the most exciting event of the competition”. It is a true test of knowledge; a head to head battle between schools.

3. Boston Pizza

Mmm that’s right. Boston Pizza is delicious; there isn’t any argument about that. I was very excited to hear that there is a B.P  close to the hotel. Ellen touched upon the importance of proper nourishment throughout the competition; she says that “it’s very important that students take the time to eat…not only will eating make you feel better but it will also calm your nerves”. From 11am-3pm during the case presentations, students are encouraged to visit Boston Pizza for a delicious lunch. Oh, did I mention that it is FREE!?

4. Gala Dinner

I tried to squeeze as much information out of Ellen as I could but she was very secretive when it came to talking about the Gala. I must admit that unknown only excites me even more. The evening begins with an elegant dinner, followed by the awards ceremony. In addition there will be “special entertainment” throughout the night. Ellen did say that everyone should DRESS TO IMPRESS! That is all that needs to be said. The competition is over and the focus is on celebrating. Wear your finest clothes and represent your school in style.

OCMC 2011 is going to be an amazing experience. This is extremely exciting for Humber as this will be our first time hosting the event. It would not have been possible to plan OCMC without the help from other colleges, volunteers, sponsors and the dedication of students. A very special thank you to everyone who has assisted us along the way!

See you all soon!

-Tim